Implementing Universal Design For Learning in the Classroom
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With an educational trend focused on including all students in general education classrooms, the ideas and concepts of Universal Design for Learning have emerged at the forefront of education. In order to teach these students, and all students, to fulfill their potential as learners, teachers must be willing to make their lessons and curriculum accessible to all learners. The big question left in the arena of Universal Design is: HOW?
What can I do in order to reach out to all my students? Since 1995 the Concord, New Hampshire school district has been focusing on the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, and they have achieved great success with their model. This page will help explain what this school district did, and how it affected their implementation of Universal Design.
What do I need to do?
These are the seven areas the Concord district focused on in order to implement Universal Design in their district. Definitions of the terms are listed below.
What do these mean?
Technology Infrastructure and Support- computers and technology are necessary to make print materials into digital ones that help students visualize and manipulate them.
Administrative Support- Principals and school board member are important in helping to create UDL. Teachers will feel more confident with making necessary changes in their teaching if they know that the administrators are supporting them.
Teacher Training and Support- This idea will give the teachers awareness of UDL and teach them the concepts. Instead of training all of the teachers they will take a small group and train them to become UDL mentors. Then those teachers that are trained will work with untrained teachers and help them understand the different concepts of UDL and how technology is incorporated in it. Learn About Concord Teacher Training
Redefining Teacher Roles- This allows UDL to unite the regular teachers, special educators and technology specialists. This will especially affect the special educators because it they now have more involvement in planning the curriculum and can work side by side with regular teachers.
Collaborating on Curriculum- develop a digital library so all teachers have access to the curriculum they need
Involving Parents- Encourage them to volunteer and scan in pages to advance the electronic curriculum, keep them informed so they advocate for their children\
Developing Creative Funding- most funding for UDL comes from grants written by teachers and administrators
Most people would think that a big idea like UDL would have to start with commands from the top up. In Concord, this was not the case. Their success UDL started with one teacher, who focused on training another teacher in one lesson or project at a time. This made teachers feel at ease and more comfortable with using the technology they needed to help their students.
Without UDL some students have to suffer before adjustments can be made.
UDL requires forward thinking which prevents barriers for all students in the curriculum (such as printed text).
Implementing Universal Design For Learning in the Classroom
Click Here To Listen!
With an educational trend focused on including all students in general education classrooms, the ideas and concepts of Universal Design for Learning have emerged at the forefront of education. In order to teach these students, and all students, to fulfill their potential as learners, teachers must be willing to make their lessons and curriculum accessible to all learners. The big question left in the arena of Universal Design is:
HOW?
What can I do in order to reach out to all my students? Since 1995 the Concord, New Hampshire school district has been focusing on the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, and they have achieved great success with their model. This page will help explain what this school district did, and how it affected their implementation of Universal Design.
What do I need to do?
What do these mean?
Resources
CAST and The National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum
The Universal Learning Center
Universal Learning Editions
The National Consortium on UDL Learning
Having the Right Attitude is KEY
Most people would think that a big idea like UDL would have to start with commands from the top up. In Concord, this was not the case. Their success UDL started with one teacher, who focused on training another teacher in one lesson or project at a time. This made teachers feel at ease and more comfortable with using the technology they needed to help their students.